13 Great Low-Water Plants

It’s tough to beat rugged succulents for drought tolerant good looks. Echeveria blends beauty with strong textural appeal. Rosettes of leaves sparkle in silvery-gray and contrast artfully with the bead-like leaves of pork and beans sedum (Sedum x rubrotinctum). Plant both of these water-wise plants in a spot that’s well-drained.

Native to the Madeira Islands off the coast of Morocco, this lovely plant brings eye-catching leaves to the garden, but the show doesn’t stop there. From spring to early summer, vibrant purple flower spikes appear atop stems. These plants are drought-tolerant once established and do best with no irrigation in summer.

Bright orange or red blossoms steal the spotlight when this beauty blooms. Native to tropical America, bird of paradise is typically seen in frost-free zones, where it grows as a shrub or small tree. Plant several together to form a loose, informal hedge, or use it as part of a wildlife garden. This is a thorny plant, so avoid placing it too close to walkways or patios.

Also known as fuchsia bush, the emu bush is a must-have in a hummingbird or wildlife garden. Pollinators can’t resist the brightly tinted blooms that blanket the plant in spring and summer. Gray leaves are a dead giveaway that this plant doesn’t need extra water. This is an Aussie native that makes a great drought-tolerant groundcover.